Russian space leader to America: The only hope is “Soyuz”

Dmitry Rogozin is the deputy prime minister of Russia, in charge of its defense and space industry.

You may recall him from comments last year, as tensions over Ukraine heated up, that NASA astronauts should consider using a trampoline to reach the International Space Station. He even helpfully tweeted a photo.

(Twitter)

Rogozin, of course, referred to NASA’s dependence on Russia’s Soyuz rocket and spacecraft to send its astronauts to the International Space Station.

Since those comments NASA has increased the nationalistic tone of its commercial crew program (see below), in which it is funding SpaceX and Boeing to develop two new launch systems to send American astronauts into space.

(NASA)

When one or both of these systems is complete in 2017 Russia’s now dominant position in space station negotiations will be significantly diminished. Russia knows this, and to some extent feels threatened. Additionally SpaceX and its low cost Falcon 9 rocket has been chipping away at business launches provided by Russia’s Proton rocket. In a recent biography, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said his family worries about Russian assassins.

It’s safe to say there is not much love for SpaceX among the Russian hierarchy.

Then, on Sunday, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket exploded 2 minutes and 19 seconds into flight. This raises questions, at least in the short term, about SpaceX’s ability to deliver satellites into space for customers, and supplies and crew for NASA.

On Monday Rogozin again took to Twitter with a link to the following message for the company and the mass media.

(TwitLonger)

This is pure schadenfreude.

SpaceX’s best option would be to get up and flying as soon as possible. Rogozin might also do well to remember that his own space program has had various issues recently too, from rocket problems to striking workers at a new spaceport who claimed to have not been paid for four months.